Indonesia and war on terror 1 & 2

In this strange post-Sept. 11 world, it is interesting to observe the reactions across the world to proposed U.S. military initiatives, in particular the different reactions to the lead-up to the attacks on the al-Qaeda-backed Taliban regime in Afghanistan last year and the strong likelihood of a proposed American-led attack on the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq this year. Nowhere has the contrast in reaction to the two proposed military strikes been more curious than here in Indonesia.

U.S. and British bombers started their air assault on Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after those devastating terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The international community in general expressed understanding for the U.S. position in seeking to wipe out the al-Qaeda bases from where it was presumed the Sept. 11 catastrophe had been planned.

The reaction to this year's anticipated attack on Iraq is, however, quite different. The Bush administration has yet to garner support for the military option from key Security Council members Russia, China and France. Tens of thousands of people have already taken to the streets in London, Rome, Madrid, Australia and even in the U.S. itself to oppose war on Iraq. Most commentators agree that the case for war against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq is more problematic than last year's war in Afghanistan.

Yet the reaction in Indonesia has been quite the opposite. This year in contrast, the silence in Indonesia to the anticipated attack on Iraq is almost deafening, with only a relatively small rally being staged on Oct. 8 comprising mostly moderate Islamic and reformist groups in which calls for jihad were absent. The organizations that were apparently willing to fight to defend the Taliban regime in Afghanistan have been virtually silent in coming to the defense of Iraq.

Why the stark contrast in reaction in Indonesia between 2001 and 2002? There are a number of possible answers to this intriguing question. It is a matter that might better be put to the leaders of the Indonesian Ulemas Council and other organizations that were so vociferous in their stance last year.

ROGER SMITH

Jakarta